Economics Teacher (with Business Studies )

We are looking for a first rate teacher who can teach A level Economics, including high achieving Oxbridge applicants, to help take Economics from 'Good to Great'.   The ability to teach Business Studies Post-16 would be helpful.   The department is keen to strengthen its reputation for academic excellence and develop a wider range of extra - curricular and local networking activites, particularly in Economics, to give students a real-world application to the learning that takes places in the classroom.  The post would suit  a teacher from a Sixth Form college/FE College or school Sixth Form, or a new entrant to the profession. 

A Level Economics is offered at Key Stage 5 only and is an increasingly popular choice. Based on current applications to Year 12, we expect two A Level Economics clasess in September 2019.  Last year, A-Level Economics results at A2 were 100% A*-E of which 43% were A*-C grades. As uptake increases, applying different learning and teaching techniques and different assessment and intervention techniques is becoming increasingly important and will be a focus of the department going forward. We are looking to improve the attainment of the cohort and, in particular, the percentage of A-C grades, while cultivating A/A* grade top flight students on to Economics related degrees.

In Economics, students undertake IFS Student Investor as an enrichment option and have attended talks from the Bank of England.  We are keen to develop a wider range of external links and experiences.

Business is taught at Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5. At GCSE, we teach AQA GCSE Business Studies, which replaced the highly successful Business Communication Systems qualification that ran successfully for a number of years.   Results for GCSE are above nationally, demonstrating positive value added across the ability range.  Last year, GCSE Business Communication Systems achieved 80% A*-C. The new GCSE is a popular Key Stage 4 option among students of all abilities. There are several staff within the IT/Business/Economics faculty with the expertise to teach GCSE Business.   This qualification leads into the Key Stage 5 option, where the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Business is currently offered, equivalent to 1 A-Level. Take up for Business within the Sixth Form is good, with intake rising each year. Results are also above average nationally, based on the ALPS assessment data. Last year, there was a 100% pass rate, 50% achieving Distinction and 50% achieving Merit. This achieved an ALPS grade 4. The ability profile of our intake is rising and we will be adding  A-Level Business to our 2020-21 Sixth Form cohort.   

Our strategic plan aims to improve examination results still further by developing more effective ways of tracking and intervening on student progress (including our new assessment system at Key Stage 3); by further developing our teachers’ professional skills through our extensive in-house staff CPD programme; and by deepening our distinctive Highcliffe teaching and learning pedagogy.  We work collaboratively within the Christchurch Learning Federation on a range of common school improvement issues.

Highcliffe School is ideally situated minutes from Highcliffe and Avon beaches, Mudeford Quay and Christchurch Harbour.  A few minutes’ drive or cycle away are the beaches of Bournemouth while Poole Harbour, a mecca for watersports, is approximately 12 miles away.  As a result, sailing, kitesurfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing and beach life are prominent parts of life in the area.  Highcliffe is also on the doorstep of the New Forest, meaning that equestrian sports, cycling, walking and running are also prominent features of local life.  There is an extensive range of top-class pubs, cafes, clubs, theatres and cinemas throughout the area catering for people of all ages and tastes.    Highcliffe School is easily accessible from the urban centre of Bournemouth and Poole.  With its large student population Bournemouth uniquely offers a multicultural city buzz combined with the relaxed South Coast surfing and holiday culture.  London, the South East and the South West are easily reached by road or rail links.  The European mainland is easily reached by ferry from Weymouth, Poole, and Portsmouth, while Bournemouth and Southampton airports offer continental and worldwide flights.

We encourage potential applicants to explore in depth the School’s website which includes recent publications and a prospectus.  Potential applicants are also encouraged to read both the most recent Ofsted reports which are available via the school website or directly from www.ofsted.gov.uk and the published performance data available on the DfES performance tables site. www.education.gov.uk/schools/performance